A MAN and his friend threatened his uncle with a gun before stealing his mobile phone, a court has heard.

Luke Haworth, 32, of no fixed address, and Thomas Swateridge, 25, c/o Shakespeare Avenue, Taunton, are on trial at Taunton Crown Court accused of two robberies, which they both deny.

The prosecution claims that the two men burst into Frederick Hodge's home in Queen's Terrace, Taunton, on the evening of December 27, when they appeared "crazed and intoxicated" and shouted: "Where's the money?"

Haworth, who was topless, grabbed his uncle's hunting gun, leapt on top of him and pointed the weapon in his face, the court was told.

Swateridge punched the victim and ended up holding the gun, which Haworth demanded he hand back to him, the jury heard.

Haworth, who later took a mobile phone from the property, hit his uncle in the face with the butt of the gun, while his accomplice picked up a bottle of coins, searched through drawers and damaged a television set, it was complained.

Later that evening, the prosecution claims, Haworth and Swatridge met another man, Colin Bromley, outside the Flying Horse pub.

The former grabbed him and then produced a knife, threatening to stab him, while the latter, who had been hiding as he owed the victim £50, pushed him to the ground, the court was told.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to two counts of robbery - Mr Haworth told police that his uncle was the aggressor, while he claimed he and Swatridge had visited Mr Bromley to buy drugs from him.

The trial continues and is expected to last until Thursday.